The incident revolves around a potential oil and gas site in New
Bedford, Pennsylvania, where four landowners have refused to sign
leases authorizing a new drilling operation by Texas-based
Hilcorp Energy.

According to the company, 99 percent of the area’s landowners
have signed leases permitting the operation in exchange for cash
and royalties, but the holdouts – representing 35 of the 3,267
acres in limbo – have been adamant in their refusal to budge.

“I didn't buy this land to sell it,” said Bob Svetlak to
the Trib Live newspaper group. “I bought it for peace and
property, like a lot of people in this country. I live here for
the tranquility.”

Despite Svetlak’s protestations, though, Hilcorp is arguing that
a 1961 state law allows the company to lump all the landowners
into one group and earn drilling authorization if most of those
owners approve of the operation. Known as “forced pooling,” the
move would enable the company to earn gas and oil rights even if
some owners are opposed to the idea.

If Hilcorp’s maneuvering is successful, Trib Live reports it will
likely cause a flood of outrage among Pennsylvania residents, who
one expert suggested are not generally aware that such a law
exists. Even Governor Tom Corbett, who supports new drilling
operations, stated his opposition to forced pooling in 2011.

Whether or not Hilcorp succeeds, however depends on the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. According to
Think Progress, the agency was ordered to rule on the matter in
November. A hearing was scheduled last week, but was ultimately
postponed. A new date has yet to be set.

Speaking with the New York Times, one pro-Hilcorp landowner,
Bruce Clingan, expressed frustration that four people could stall
the deal. He signed a lease with the company for $500,000 and 18
percent royalties for future drilling on his land.

“I don’t understand how people that own four acres of ground
can hold up such a big thing,” he said. “I don’t agree
with that.”

However, that's exactly what another landowner, Suzanne Matteo,
is saying.

“It's not about the money for us. We want peace; we want
clean air. And now (drilling is) going to be forced on us,”
she said. “It's almost like Hilcorp is bullying me and
targeting me and other landowners. It doesn't seem
constitutional.”